About Resolutions

Legislative intent is generally expressed in two important types of measures:
bills and resolutions. The word “bill” is often used to include
resolutions; however, its specific meaning refers to proposed statutory enactments.
Resolutions express legislative intent or position. Three variations of legislative
resolutions are used depending on the need.

Simple resolution
–A simple resolution need only be passed by the house of origin (House
or Senate). It is used to initiate action involving only that house, such as
establishing a committee or altering the houses’ rules.

Joint Resolution–A joint resolution must be passed by both House and Senate.
It is used for matters involving both houses, such as appointing joint committees
or issuing joint communiques. Proposals to amend the Utah Constitution
are contained in joint resolutions.

Concurrent
Resolution–A concurrent resolution must be passed by
the House and Senate and signed by the governor. It is used to express the position
of the state on a specific matter.

The type of resolution the sponsor chooses depends on whether one house, both
houses, or both houses and the governor support the concept under consideration.
If a legislator decides to use the concurrent resolution, that legislator should
make sure the governor supports it before filing the resolution. Once introduced,
a concurrent resolution cannot be made a simple (i.e., House or Senate) resolution
or visa versa.

Except for joint resolutions amending the Utah Constitution, resolutions
generally have no force of law. They are considered an expression of the Legislature
and are printed in the annual session laws (Laws of Utah) but are not
codified (i.e. placed in the Utah Code).